Musa basjoo aka Japanese Banana

Taxonomy

Musa basjoo, also known as the Japanese banana, Japanese fibre banana, or hardy banana, is a species of flowering plant belonging to the Musaceae family. Although it was previously believed to have originated in the Ryukyu islands of southern Japan, it is now known to have originated in subtropical southern China, where it is widely cultivated, with wild populations found in Sichuan province. This herbaceous perennial has trunk-like pseudostems that can grow up to 2–2.5 m in height, with a crown of mid-green leaves that can grow up to 2 m long and 70 cm wide when mature. The species produces male and female flowers on the same inflorescence, which can extend for over 1 m. The banana fruit formed are yellow-green, around 5–10 cm long and 2–3 cm broad, inedible, with sparse white pulp and many black seeds. Japanese Banana is a relatively rare houseplant that is not difficult to grow and requires regular watering to thrive. It does best in direct, long-lasting light and should be positioned less than 1 foot away from a window.

Common names

Japanese Banana, Japanese Fibre Banana, Basjoo

How to care for Japanese Banana

Difficulty

If you're looking for a plant that offers a moderate level of challenge, Japanese Banana is a great choice to test your gardening skills.

Water

Japanese Banana should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Japanese Banana loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Japanese Banana requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Japanese Fibre Banana is always in the right place to thrive.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for Japanese Banana to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

Ploi lacks confirmed information on the toxicity of this plant. If you, a relative, or your pet accidentally consume plant material with unknown toxicity, it's best to consult a medical expert.

Humidity

The Japanese Banana does not need extra humidity. Plants primarily absorb water through their root system, making soil watering the best way to provide humidity to your plants.

Region of origin

Japanese Banana’s native range is Tropical and Subtropical Asia to the West Pacific.


More info:
Wikipedia